Bani Mustafa, Italian Minister Discuss Enhancing Social Protection Systems

Amman, June 10 (Petra) – Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, in her capacity as Chair of the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, on Wednesday met with Italian Minister for People with Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli.

According to a statement issued by Ministry of Social Development, this meeting took place on the sidelines of Bani Mustafa's participation in the 19th session of Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP), held under the auspices of the United Nations at its headquarters in New York.

Bani Mustafa noted "deep-rooted" Jordanian-Italian relations, which enjoy attention and support of both friendly countries' leadership, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding cooperation, particularly in social and humanitarian issues.

She called for strengthening cooperation with Italy on disability issues by concluding the memorandum of understanding between the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and the Italian Ministry of Disability Affairs, which would contribute to supporting disability issues and exchanging expertise and the best practices in this field.

Bani Mustafa stressed the importance of supporting implementation of the commitments outlined in the Amman-Berlin Declaration on Global Disability Inclusion.

At the bilateral level, she highlighted the need to enhance partnership and coordination between the Italian Ministry of Disability Affairs and the Arab League in areas of disability, social inclusion, and social protection.

Locally, she presented Jordan's "pioneering" experience in transitioning from institutional to alternative care for people with disabilities, which is a "leading model" that promotes independence of people with disabilities and their right to live within an inclusive family and community environment.

Bani Mustafa noted the Ministry of Social Development's efforts to develop the social services, protection, and care system, focusing on expanding alternative housing services for people with disabilities.

She added that this process includes promoting the transition to inclusive community care, establishing inclusive day centers, developing early intervention services, and strengthening family integration, all of which contribute to a gradual shift from institutional care to a sustainable community model that fosters independence and inclusion.

She highlighted the importance of mutually benefiting from the two countries' experiences in areas such as enhancing and building the capacities of social sector workers, professionalizing social work, developing inclusive community intervention and service models, and designing programs specifically for people with disabilities.

For her part, Locatelli called for exchanging expertise and learning about the best practices in programs and services provided to people with disabilities.

She expressed her aspiration to strengthen cooperation and expand partnerships in the coming phase.

//Petra// AG

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